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From the Baron Davis Press Conference

This is from www.wwltv.com and contains comments made by BD today in regards to his contract extension. I am satisfied with his comments. He seems to be surprised that NOLA is as full of life as it is. I thoroughly agree with him that he can find what he is looking for in this "small city." New Orleans clearly has a big-city feel to it, IMHO, but it is an island unto itself!

Hornets Sign Baron Davis to Long Term Deal
07/30/2002

WWLTV.com

WWL-TV
Baron Davis
Baron Davis signed a long-term deal with the New Orleans Hornets Tuesday, ending speculation that he might opt for a move to a larger market.

Terms of the contract weren’t released by the team, but the deal is believed to be for about six years and about $84 million.

“Ownership stepped up and made a terrific long-term commitment to the city of New Orleans by signing one of the brightest young stars in the league,” said Bob Bass, the Hornets Executive Vice-President of Basketball Operations.

Hornets Forum
Discuss the Baron Davis Deal
Davis, who said he had never been to the city prior to coming for this year’s Essence Festival, said there were two main factors that prompted him to sign: One was a chance for a championship with a seasoned team, the other was the friendly atmosphere he found in the city.

“The vibe here was great,” he said. I brought a lot of my family and friends here and they helped me with the decision. They told me that it may be a small city, but the people here love basketball.”

Davis said his main concern in waiting to make a deal was that he figured a long-term deal would be the biggest of his life. He said that in the end, his best chance for a title would come in the Crescent City.

“This is the best move for me,” he said. “I’m on a playoff team, a team that I’ve been with since my rookie year and with a coach I’ve known since my rookie year. This was the biggest decision of my life. I know I made the right decision.”

Davis was set to make nearly $4 million next season. Last season, he averaged just over 18 points, 8.5 assists and guided the team to a playoff berth.

I will leak the news that you guys are not hearing from anyone else. I get this from a very dependable source...

Baron was not sure what to do. 84 million is a lot to turn down. He really yearned to play in LA. The Clips, Cavs and Hornets nearly completed a three way deal last night which would have sent BD to LA when at the very last minute, the Hornets threw a Harvey Hornet autographed bobblehead into the deal. Baron couldn't pass on the Harvey bobblehead and took the money too. When the Hornets backed out, the Cavs and Clips completed their Miller for Miles deal and Baron flew to New Orleans to pick up his Harvey signed bobble head and sign the deal.